Southern storms: Ice, threat of some snow

JACKSON, Mississippi - Storms crossing the Southeast iced up roads and bridges and caused numerous car accidents in northern Mississippi, while parts of Alabama faced a possibility of some snow.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said Tuesday that the stormy weather prompted several accidents after temperatures plunged and ice began accumulating. He warned motorists in northern Mississippi to avoid unnecessary travel.

Several public schools in northern Mississippi remained closed Tuesday. Authorities said some homes flooded in one Mississippi county and some power outages occurred in the state.

In northern Alabama, the rain-swollen Tennessee River overflowed into some farm fields. Several school systems opened late. Forecasters are warning of a threat of scattered road icing in northern Alabama after days of rains, adding snow was possible though any accumulations were uncertain.